All The Rage (And Age): The Relevance Of Older Age In Today’s Fashion World

With several more weeks of winter weather still likely, it may seem silly to be focused on spring styles, but for those in the fashion world, and those who influence fashion, there’s never a lull in focusing on trends and new seasons. And perhaps more than ever, at this time and in this season, those influencing fashion, and those who are sought-after as customers, are skewing older (and perhaps wiser). Some of the most in-demand fashion influencers are now recognized as being part of the crowd having the most money to spend on fashion and the fastest-growing populations- that is, the over-50 community. 

With the motto that there’s no age limit on style, influence, or relevance, we are witnessing a burgeoning social media bonanza of older fashion influencers who are not only setting trends for their older peers but are also luring in younger fashionistas who appreciate their style and savvy. And they are also attracting brands that are coming to realize that having older “brand ambassadors” or celebrities hawking their styles is not only bold but it’s essential in today’s world if you want to attract attention and sell your products. So, for example, the older California couple, “Aki and Koichi,” Japanese Americans with more than 1 million followers on Instagram, are now collaborating with multiple brands. Featured in a recent article in Bloomberg, these 70-something fashionistas are no lightweights. As a professional scientist and accounting professional in their working years, they are now having fun (and making money) with style and verve. Admired for their fashion sense (and with help from their adult daughter), this couple is bringing positive attention and relevance to their older peers who would be traditionally sidelined at this stage of life. As Jacynth Bassett, the founder of the consulting fashion agency Ageism Is Never In Style, has commented, “Creators over 50 are both a commercial and cultural win.”

Older influencers are also admired and sought after because they project a level of authenticity and relatability. For example, 81-year-old Viv Truran, recently featured in an article from the BBC, is an online fashion content creator with hundreds of thousands of Instagram followers and a “grandmotherly” relatability that it seems people hunger for. Even she can’t really believe the audience she’s attracted: “Can you believe over 5 million people have seen me?” she said. And brands are flocking to older models and brand ambassadors because, as one expert exclaimed, “Older adults want to be shown as real people who are relatable, not lonely, sad or zany caricatures.” In fact, the renowned designer Jacquemus recently anointed his 79-year-old grandmother as his brand ambassador, stating that her strength, elegance, and authenticity all make her the perfect representative for his clothing. 

And what about the fashions themselves? Are they suitable for women in the 50+ category? With the trend of “ageless style” and younger and older women beginning to share the same fashion sense, it feels as though little is “off limits” to older women. For example, a recent Who What Wear post presented “5 ageless trends” for your 2026 wardrobe, including leather pencil skirts, check prints, and loafers. In fact, “preppy” designs (many familiar to older women from earlier times) seem to be back in style, including the all-purpose cardigan sweater, now renamed the “librarian” look, paired this season with a more glamorous skirt or trousers. Also back in Vogue (literally and figuratively)  for this spring are such essential items as khaki trench coats, demure earrings, and silk scarves (along with cardigans and loafers). And of course, the always appropriate denim pants, no matter your age or shape. For some suggestions on the best type for women over 50, check out InStyle’s list here.

So, no matter your age, shape, or style, it seems now is your time to make some fashion magic and dream up some stylish outfits for the coming warmer weather. For a few extra inspirational items, wave your fashion wand and click here.